Monday 5th August 2024

Woke around 0800. Got up and porridged. Put a packed lunch together in a couple of tupperware boxes. Packed the car, and did some final checks. Got away just after 1100, heading north via the A1, then on to the M1...I drove for almost three hours, by which time we found ourselves at Tibshelf Service Station, the halfway point. Stopped and used the facilities, and ate our lunch in the car, overlooking the dog-walking area. Aki took the wheel, driving us up to Durham Service Station on the A1(M), where we swapped for the final leg into Northumberland. Got to High View around 1730. Ma and pa made us tea, and we sat out for a bit, before dinner...Kath put together a salmon and potato salad. They seem in good fettle. Chatted at the dining-table before ending up in the living-room to watch some Olympic coverage. 

Sunday 4th August 2024

Nothing much to report. Aki decided not to go to Rowing Club, but instead make preparations for our journey north tomorrow. We did a bit of gardening out front...I pruned the wisteria. Did some of it from out of Lynne's upstairs window to save getting the ladder out. I did some ironing, vacuuming, and sorted out some of the clothing I plan to take with me. Aki cleaned the bathroom. Watched some Olympic coverage on the telly. Warmed up the last of the fish curry for dinner, which we ate with Japanese rice, and vegetables. Packed our bags before shower and bed...

Saturday 3rd August 2024

Nothing much to report, save spending most of the day sat on the sofa watching Olympics coverage. Aki cycled off to Yerbury Farmer's Market to buy bread. Aki went off into town to meet Saho, who was over from Switzerland...they had lunch with a former Kajima colleague. I pottered about with a couple of songs from "Witch" by way of cursory rehearsal. Walked to Waitrose to do some shopping. Aki cooked a pork fillet stir fry for dinner. 

Friday 2nd August 2024

 

Woke around 0900. Aki already up and working at the computer. I watched Olympic coverage on the telly. Pizza for lunch, with a bit of side salad. We walked up Highgate Hill after lunch to get some much needed exercise. I left Aki in Waterlow Park, and walked back down the hill to the Whittington Hospital for an appointment with the Hernia Hub. Managed to catch some Olympic coverage on the telly in the waiting room! The consultant recommended I go for an op...since I have already had keyhole surgery and mesh inserted, they will have to go in for open surgery...but he recommended we go for it, as there is a 17% risk of a strangulation. He reckoned surgery would take place in about 6 months...hope they manage to fit it in before I'm due to fly to Japan in March! Walked home via Dev's, to pick up a couple of prescription orders before we head north for the summer. Drove Aki round to Kearsey's on the Harringay Ladder where the rowing gals were to celebrate Kearsey's birthday. I dropped Aki off on Beresford Road, and headed home via the petrol station at Manor House. Warmed up some fish curry for dinner, with rice, naan, and greens. Watched more Olympics. Aki came home via taxi...seemed to have enjoyed Kearsey's vegetarian cooking. Shower and bed...

Thursday 1st August 2024

Slow start after yesterday's action. Got up and porridged on the blueberry and banana porridge that Kath had sent me as my birthday present. Spent most of the day glued to the telly, watching Olympic action, with some guitar rehearsals thrown into the mix. We ate more cheese and carrot loaf for lunch, followed by a slice of chocolate Guinness cake. Aki popped out to Tescos in the afternoon, and I warmed up a ragu I'd kept in the freezer for a couple of weeks, which we had with pappardelle. Watched more Olympics in the evening before shower and bed...

Wednesday 31st July 2024

Aki up early to ready for Rowing. 66 today! Looking forward to my first pension payment, but not due until mid-August. Aki made me a mug of tea before heading off on the cycle leg of her triathlon. I opened my present...two large ceramic mugs, with cork sleeves...can get a lot of tea in there! Watched Olympic coverage. I cooked a carrot and cheese loaf, then cooked a chocolate Guinness cake, before Aki returned for her lunch. The cheese loaf was OK, but I think I need to use a stronger Cheddar...next time! Aki iced the cake. Watched more Olympic coverage. Kath phoned from 12 High View, and ma and pa sang Happy Birthday down the phone. The signal wasn't great, but I told them I was moving into the Auld People's Home next week. 

Drove Aki round to the Landseer, with the Birthday cake on her lap. We got there before any of our invitees, and grabbed a couple of large tables. Most of the Sussex Way Book Club members turned up, the pub being just around the corner. Helen and Martin also showed up, as well as Kevin from No.93. We tucked in to chicken piri piri and tomato rice, followed by slabs of chocolate Guinness cake...a good time was had by all. We dispersed around 2230...I gave the barwoman who taken the brunt of our diverse food and drink orders a slice of cake, and we headed home in the car.

Tuesday 30th July 2024

Aki up at 0800 to work at the computer. I dozed for an hour or so. Got up and porridged before switching on the telly for some Olympics action. Rehearsed the Finale number from "Worst Witch" for a bit. Made lunch...pizza and salad. More Olympics. Researched some shows to go see whilst in Edinburgh next month. Watched the gymnastics. Aki popped out to Waitrose to get some ingredients for tonight's fish curry, which she served up with rice. Watched the action from the Swimming Pool this evening...GB successfully defended their gold medal from Tokyo in the 4x 200m relay...great scenes! And Murray and Evans lived to fight another day, getting through to the quarter-finals. Had a swim in the bath before bed...